Monday, September 29, 2008

I pledge allegiance...

Our night time ritual with the girls has always been a bit elaborate, but now it's just ridiculous! The usual night time ceremony consists of (and Dan and I do this one after the other, I am always first as I get the girls to bed) counting to 10 outside their door, then coming in to "find" the girls hiding under their covers on the bed, followed by rubbing our heads together, then butterfly kisses, then Eskimo kisses, then rubbing cheeks together (referred to as "snuggles" in our home, the term coined by Alex), rubbing chins together, bear hugs, kisses, then tugging on ears and it's all finalized by the secret hand shake.

Several nights ago I did my usual part, called to Dan that it was his turn, and went into the family room to read when a few minutes later I hear Sydney and Dan reciting, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." I just about died laughing. Dan came out of their room and explained to me that Sydney had added the pledge to the night time ritual a few days ago (I had been out of town). So, now I am privileged to hear (or recite since sometimes they make me join them before we say family prayers) the pledge of allegianceevery single night.